Religious Organisations

• What is typology in sociology?

  A classification according to general type
• Why are sociologists interested in religious organizations?

  To study their features, development, and membership
• What are key characteristics for comparing religious organizations?

  • Type of leadership
  • Level of commitment required
  • Relationship to wider society
  • Claims to the truth
  • Scope/size
  • Typical life span
• How did Ernst Troeltsch define a church?

  As a large dominant religious organization
• How many members does the Anglican Church have worldwide?

  77 million members
• How are churches typically organized?

  By a hierarchy of paid officials
• What societal norms do churches support?

  Society's norms and values
• Why are churches considered universalistic?

  They aim to include all social groups
• What is the ideological stance of churches?

  They are ideologically conservative
• What do churches claim regarding truth?

  They claim a monopoly of truth
• How did Bruce (1996) critique the church's monopoly of truth?

  It only applied before the Protestant Reformation
• What is expected of church members in terms of commitment?

  Few demands are placed on them
• How have churches survived over time?

  They have shown a long life span
• What is a sect according to Troeltsch?

  A small, exclusive group breaking from a church
• What typically causes the formation of a sect?

  A schism within an existing religious organization
• How do sects differ from churches in terms of societal attitude?

  Sects are hostile to wider society
• Who do sects typically attract as members?

  The poor and oppressed individuals
• What do sects promise their members?

  Other-worldly benefits like heaven
• What is expected of members in a sect?

  High commitment and dedication
• How are sects typically led?

  By a single charismatic leader
• What do sects claim regarding truth?

  They claim a monopoly of truth
• How long do sects typically last?

  Often only for a generation
• How did Niebuhr classify denominations?

  As medium-sized organizations of middle-class members
• How do denominations differ from churches?

  They do not appeal to the whole society
• What is the leadership structure of denominations?

  They have a formal structure of paid clergy
• How do cults differ from other religious organizations?

  Cults are the least organized religious groups
• What type of leadership do cults typically have?

  Led by a practitioner or therapist
• What do cults allow regarding other beliefs?

  They accept other spiritual beliefs
• How demanding is cult membership?

  Membership is not demanding at all
• What benefits do cults typically offer?

  Other-worldly benefits like good health
• Why do many cults tend to be short-lived?

  Due to their loose-knit organization
• What are the three types of cults according to Stark and Bainbridge?

  Audience, Client, and Cultic Movements
• What are the characteristics of world-affirming new religious movements (WANRMs)?

  • Accept the world as it is
  • Promise success in mainstream goals
  • Non-exclusive and tolerant of other religions
  • Offer additional special knowledge
  • Few demands on followers
• What is the focus of world-accommodating new religious movements?

  Religious purity without rejecting the world
• What are the characteristics of world-rejecting new religious movements (WRRMs)?

  • Limited contact with the outside world
  • High control over members' lives
  • Exclusive membership with high sacrifices
  • Conservative moral codes
• What was the outcome of Jim Jones' leadership of The People’s Temple?

  Mass suicide during a government investigation
• What are the practical applications of using typologies in sociology?

  • Analyzing significant features of organizations
  • Comparing modern and old religious organizations
  • Understanding the role of organizations in society
• What do Stark & Bainbridge (1985) argue regarding religious organizations?

  To distinguish based on tension with society
• What is the focus of the question "Outline and explain two different types of religious organisations that are popular in society today"?

  Types of religious organizations
• What is the focus of the question "Applying material from Item I, analyse two different religious organisations and their relationship with wider society"?

  Relationship with wider society